Switch box holder



. Dec. 14, 194. 'SAUTER 2,456,450

SWITCH BOX HOLDER Filed Jan. 25, 1946 Jsz-vwl. Sears 1 N V ENTO R Patented Dec. 14, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT QFFICE SWITCH BOX HOLDER Joseph L. Sauter, Poughkeepsie, N. Y.

Application January 25, 1946, Serial No. 643,423

Claims.

The invention here disclosed relates to devices for securing switch boxes and the like in plaster to get a grip on the wall, both at the top and at I the bottom of the box, and then after obtaining this solid grip, be caught over the forward edges of the box to firmly secure it in the wall.

Other special objects of the invention are to provide a device of the character indicated which will be simple in structure, inexpensive as to cost and generally practical and efiicient.

Other desirable objects and the novel features through which the purposes of the invention are attained are set forth or will appear in the course of the following specification.

The drawing accompanying and forming part of the specification illustrates certain present commercial embodiments of the invention, but structure may be further modified and changed as regards the immediate illustration, all within the true intent and scope of the invention as hereinafter defined and claimed.

Figure 1 is a broken front elevation showing a switch box as entered in a hole cut for it in a wall and with a securing device at one side, entered,

expanded and secured over the edge of the box at that side.

Figure 2 is a broken sectional and side elevation appearing on line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a broken horizontal sectional view as on substantially the plane of line 33 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a broken vertical sectional view showing one of the holders in collapsed form being inserted at the side of the box.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of one of the holders in expanded relation.

Figure 6 is a broken detail view of a modified form of the invention and Figure '7 a section on line 'l-'I of Fig. 6.

In the several views an electric switch box of typical design is indicated at I entered in a hole 8 cut through a closed wall 9.

For securing it in this relation, holders are provided, one at each side of the box and comprising each a rigid body or base section II] of stiff sheet metal or the like, of an overall length approximating that of the box or short enough to be passed through the hole at the side of the box and carrying sliding sections H, l2 adapted to be extended into full engagement with the back of the wall at the top and at the bottom of the box.

For handling purposes, the main, body section is shown as having substantially parallel for Wardly projecting portions l3, M which, after the device is entered, can be bent inward and backward over the adjoining edge of the box, as in Figures 1 and 2.

Similarly, the slides H and l2 have forwardly projecting handle portions l5, 16 by which they may be held in collapsed position in the first instance, Figure l, and then be expanded or extended to grip in back of the wall, as in Figures 1 and 2. These operating finger portions l5, it, when the device is fully in place, may be bent inward and backward over the edge of the box, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, at the outward sides of or above and below the bent fingers l3, I l, which latter then prevent the slides from shifting back in a. collapsing direction.

These holders may be inserted, expanded and secured, first one at one side and then the other at the opposite side of the box, and when completely secured as described, they will firmly and fully fasten and support the box in the wall structure. These fastening devices, it will be observed, are adaptable to different sizes and shapes of boxes, different thicknesses of walls and to different sizes of openings.

Also they can be adapted to any roughness of the plaster or laths at the back of a wall and if the opening is broken out too large, they can be extended or expanded to engage solid portions of the wall beyond such an oversize opening.

The slidable connection of the extension pieces with the base piece may be varied.

In the first embodiment the back or inner edge of the base piece is shown turned over at I! and the front or inner edge bent inward at l8 to form channels or guidways for the slides. The inturned edge portions l8 form stops engageable by the fingers l5, Hi to prevent the slides from working outwardly of their guides and the engagement of the inner edges of these fingers limits the movement of the slides in the contracting direction.

In Figure 6 generally equivalent results are attained by forming the slides with slots I9 through which lugs 21] are struck from the base piece and then bent over to secure the slides in place.

While generally desirable to provide the base piece with one or more handling and holding view of the handles provided by the front extensions 5, 16 on the slides.

Other changes and modifications may be made within the true scope of the invention as here claimed.

The device can be made up in high speed stamping operations at low cost and can be quickly and easily applied and locked in place without injury to either the wall or the box.

What claimed l A holder for securing an electric switch box or the like in a wall and comprising a base piece of thin sheet material of approximately the length of the box to be supported and short enough to be inserted at the side of the box through the hole provided to admit the box in the wall and an extension piece slidably mounted on said base piece and having a handle portion projecting at the front edge and at the inner end of the same and by which said extension piece be slidably adjusted on said base piece and longitudinally" extended to engage back of the wall at a point beyond the end of the base piece and said front extending handle portion being: bendable over the adjoining side edge of the box after said extensible .piece has been so extended.

2.. A, holder for. securing an electric switch box or the like in a wall and comprising a: base piece of thin sheet material of approximately the leng h. 012 the box to: be supported and short enough to be inserted; at. the. side of the box through the hole provided to: admit, the. box in. the wall and an: extension piece slida-bly mounted on: said base piece and having a handle portion projecting.- at the frontv edgeand atv the inner end of, the same and; by which Said extension pieoelmay be; slidably adjusted onsaid base: piece and: longitudinally extended to: engage in back of the wallat a point beyond; the end of the basepiece and said front extending handle portion beingbendable over the; adjoining side edge of the box afiter said extensible .piece has been so extended and said: base. piece having-.- a: front prolooting; portion foruse: as a handle irr inserting;

the; collapsed device through. the walland bend;-

able everthe adjoining edge of the box inposition; to form: a stop: in; front, of: said inwardly bent handle portion for holding: the. extensible piece in the extended position;

3-. A- holder for securing an electric switch. box or the: like in awall: andcomprisinga base piece of. thinsheet material oi approximateiy the length oil the; box to be supported and short enough to: be inserted. without bending at the side of, the box. through the hole to admit the box in the wall and: extension pieces slidably mounted onopposite ends or said base piece and independently extensible longitudinally in. oppcsite directions from. the opposite. ends oi said base piece, said oppositely extensible pieces having handle portions at the inner end of and projecting at the front edge of the same and bendable over the edge of the adjoining side wall of the box.

4. A holder for securing an electric switch box or the like in a wall and comprising a base piece of thin sheet material of approximately the length of the box to be supported and short enough. to be inserted; without" bending at the side of the box through the hole to admit the box in the wall and extension pieces slidably mounted on opposite ends of said base piece and independently extensible longitudinally in opposite directions from the opposite ends of said base piece, said oppositely extensible pieces having handle portions at the inner ends of and projecting at the front edge of the same and bendable: over the edge of the adjoining side wall of the box, the base piece also having a for wardly projecting handle portion disposed be tween. the handle portions of the extension pieces and bendable over the edge of the box. wall be tween the. handle portionsv of said extension pieces tothereby form a stop limiting inward.- movement of said handle portions and the ex tension pieces to which they are attached.

5. A holder tor securing an. electric switch box or the like in a wall and comprising a base,

piece of thin sheet material of approximately the length oi the box to be. supported and short enough to be inserted without bending at the side of the box through the hole to admit the box in. the wall and extension pieces slidably mounted onopposite ends of said base piece and extensible longitudinally opposite directions from the opposite ends of said base piece, said oppositely extensible pieces having handle por-.- tions at. the inner ends of and projecting at the front edge of the same andbendable over the edge of the adjoining side wall of the box, said pieces being slidably connected in the relation described by side flanges of one piece. extended over the side edges: of the adjoining piece and said adjoining pieces having: a projecting portion engageable with one end of one of said side flanges to act as a stop limitingthe longitudinal sliding movement aforesaid.

JOSEPH L. SAUTER.

REFERENGES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Judd et all Aug. 25, 1931 

